Your hot ticket to concert and/or theatre sound.
Written: Dec 01 '01 (Updated Dec 04 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 5 speaker support, Digital line in, Ease of installation, crisp sound output and more.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: If you plan to use your computer for entertainment purposes or plan to replace your existing sound card, then this sound card is for you.
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| lavoisier's Full Review: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Sound Card |
Overview
When I was building my own computer, I decided that I would like to use my computer for entertainment purposes and yet stay within my budget. I did that just about 6 weeks ago by building my own computer.
Installation and Software Bundle
Installation is just a snap. Open up your computer housing, and then plug the sound card into the PCI slot. Make sure that you push the sound card all the way with two hands. If it isn't pushed all the way, the fastening screw for the mounting hole shouldn't completely tighten. In addition follow the manual very carefully and plug your audio cables from the CD ROM(s). If you previously have used integrated sound, then you must use enter your BIOS to disable the integrated audio. Afterwards, start your computer and install the driver.
The software includes quite a bundle though. The software package includes a software MP3 player called Creative Play Centre 2 that allows us to play our MP3 files, kind of like Nullsoft’s Winamp. You can rip songs off your existing CD collection. In addition it can provide easy uploading with your Nomad MP3 player and play WMA format songs. In addition the software also offers a Buddy Talk. This is where we can use the PC to PC calling, eliminating the use of the telephone card for long distance or even a special long distance phone plan. With the Live! Ware you’re always contacted for newer audio formats or enhancements whenever available.
Overall Experience
My overall experience after 6 weeks of using this sound card, I would say that Creative has done it again with the Sound Blaster Live! Series. This is because my first sound card was again a Creative, but a Sound Blaster 64 and I also fell in love with it. Since I have a new computer, I knew I could keep my Sound Blaster 64, but since I’m into MP3s and DVD movies I decided to have a Sound Blaster 5.1 instead. With the EAX audio enhancement technology, it makes MP3s sound even better than my trusty old Sound Blaster 64 and my DVD movies seem to have an explosion effect. I have tested the sound card under hours of MP3 and one run on the movie “Independence Day? all the audio output seems to be very realistic. The digital output is supplied by the digital signal processor, which is useful if you have digital speakers, such as the Cambridge Soundworks FPS-2000 Digital Speakers. Since I don't have a 5.1 speaker system, which is the Cambridge SoundWorks FPS-1600, I can reassure you that this sound card is very versatile. It’s connected with the front and rear line output plus the digital jack. It can even give you Dolby Digital 5.1 or Analog Surround Sound.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would recommend it to every one, regardless of use. This is all because of how affordable it is and how versatile it is. The best of both worlds have combined to create the ideal entertainment sound card. For $35 at your local computer store (not Circuit City) it’s even a great deal.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 35
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Epinions.com ID:
lavoisier
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Member: Hugh Jazz
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 180
Trusted by: 26 members
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